String Quartet No. 2 | 2014

The first movement of my second string quartet begins with a lively 5-note motive, which is the source material for most of the movement. It is thoroughly developed, utilizing the many colors of the string instruments. The movement finishes on a reflective (and transitory) note, accomplished through satirical bitonality. The second movement takes a more serious turn. It is deliberately patient music. After the main ideas have been presented, development happens slowly through the use of counterpoint. This movement is characterized by the contrasting quartal/quintal and triadic characteristics of octatonicism, using only two octatonic scales for the pitch content. The third movement contrasts greatly with the previous two movements. Using only the Mixolydian and Dorian modes, this movement provides a light, cheerful ending to an otherwise emotionally heavy piece. The third movement has a joyful character throughout, and is reminiscent of dance music in some areas. Due to the use of modal scales (instead of the traditional major or minor scales), the music also seems to be heavily inspired by "folk" music. This is partially true, and it does contain many folk elements, but this movement is not intended to be folk music and is not inspired by any particular folk tradition. It is first and foremost art music, and should give a different meaning to each listener.